Aspen Medical Practice has made good progress with veterans coding and need to ensure the opportunity is available for all veterans who are registered patients at the Medical Practice.
Why are veterans treated
as a special group?
•
Service in the
Armed Forces is different from other occupations.
•
They Relinquish
some of their own civil liberties and put themselves in harm’s way to protect
others during operational and peace keeping tours.
• Risk of serious injury (for example loss of limbs,
eyes, or other body parts) is substantially increased.
•
Other differences
in military lifestyle
•
Mobile lifestyle
from posting to posting along with lack of stability and roots.
•
Living abroad and
far from family support
•
Separation from
loved ones due to unaccompanied tours.
•
Broken links with
extended family.
•
More likely to
smoke or have smoked.
•
More than half
(52%) of veterans have a long-term illness, disability, or infirmity, which is
higher than general adult population (35%).
•
Rates of PTSD in
those who have seen conflict are significantly higher than in the general
population and symptoms may not emerge for many years.
•
On leaving the
forces veterans often miss structure, support and friendship that being in the
forces provides.
•
Reliance on both
formal and informal military structures and systems – could be a major barrier
in the transition to civilian life.
•
Transition to
life outside the military likely to be stressful and in some cases experience
marriage break up and homelessness through eviction or financial pressures.
If you are a veteran, ask reception to record you as a Veteran on your clinical record. This will help identify you if you are admitted into the Acute or Community Services within Gloucestershire. If you want more details please contact the PPG Chair who is a veteran and one of the leads in the county for Armed Forces Veterans.
Veterans Widows/Widower/Civil Partner Benefits
Widows/widowers or partners whose husband/wife or civil partner
served and would have been entitled to a preserved pension, but was under 60
when they passed away, they should apply to Veterans UK as they may be entitled
to a gratuity, though it is not a pension.
